Q waits until I’ve left the room before he strips down and climbs into bed. I head towards the dining area where Alice is feeding Peri.
Alice: I hope you don’t mind me feeding her. She seemed like she was ready to eat.
Alida: It’s okay…but you gave her peas. I didn’t know she liked them.
Alice: Yes, well, you never know what they like until you give it to them. It’s important to expose them to veggies early, that way they develop a taste for them. It’s what I did with my children.
I don’t have any experience in feeding babies, so I guess I appreciate the advice.
Alida: Well, I guess it works because she’s eating them.
Alice: Well, what do you usually feed her?
Alida: Whatever we’re eating…
Alice: Oh no…you don’t want to do that. I’m sure the things you eat contain too much salt and calories for a little baby. They have different nutritional needs than we do. You feed her the wrong thing and she’ll be chubby before she’s two.
I sit down at the table as Q’s dad chimes in.
Quincy Sr.: They have to learn the ins and outs of parenthood just like we did honey.
Alice: I know, but everyone appreciates a short cut, right? Why learn the hard way when you have people around who’s been through it and can tell you the best approach. *to Alida* Right dear?
I’m not sure who to side with on this. Alice sits down next to me as if she’s expecting an answer. I just say something to move the discussion along.
Alida: Uh…I guess so.
Quincy Sr.: Being a parent is about doing what’s best for you and your child. No one can tell you how to raise your child.
Alice looks at Q Sr. as if she’s been betrayed.
Alice: *insistent* But’s there’s nothing wrong with advice from the experts.
Quincy Sr.: *sarcastic* That’s right! You’re an expert…you know everything about every child!
I’m suddenly very tired.
Q Sr.’s words seem to have hit a nerve. Alice gets up looking huffy and annoyed. She walks over and lifts Peri out of her highchair.
It’s time for me to change the subject.
Alida: So what is there to do around here?
I quickly find that Q Sr. is so much easier to talk to than Alice. He’s warm and open and there’s no judgmental edge to his words. We talk as Alice clears Peri’s bowl.
Quincy Sr.: Well, the main thing is the beach of course! That’s where I like to spend a lot of my time. I can sit on the beach all day and all my worries seem to just melt away.
Alida: I’ve never been to a beach. I can’t wait to see Peri’s face as she plays in sand and splashes in the ocean for the first time!
Quincy Sr.: That’s priceless! But there’s also scuba diving and waterfalls to visit…there’s even a volcano. If you’re into the bar scene there are a couple of bars…my favorite is right up the road from here. Oh, and you have to visit the Beach Shack if you like seafood. It’s the best eating in town. I’ll let Jr. tell you the rest…I don’t want to give away all the surprises.
Alida: Thanks…I’m excited!
It’s beginning to get tough to stifle my yawns, so I decide to join Q in bed.
Alida: I think it’s time for me to get some sleep.
Alice: You should! Don’t worry about Peri. We’ll take good care of her.
Alida: Thanks…wake me up if you decide to go to the beach! I don’t want to miss that.
Alice: Sure thing!
I leave Peri in the care of her grandparents and head to the bedroom.
I go to the bathroom attached to the room that Q and I are sharing. That’s when my annoyance factor begins to reach a new high. I can sort of see why Q said that living with his parents would not be fun. Almost every word out of his mother’s mouth has a snarky undertone. It leaves me wondering if it’s something that’s just directed at me…or is it an attitude that she takes with everyone. I’d love to ask Q, but I’m not quite sure how to bring it up without sounding like I’m criticizing his mother.
I’m too tired to put much energy into it right now. I change clothes…braid up my hair and crawl into bed next to Q.
Alice takes Peri into the bedroom and begins trying to teach her to talk…
Alice: Do you know any words? Can you say granny?
Peri just stares and smiles.
Alice: Say gran-ny…I’m your gran-ny.
Alice: No words for your gran-ny today? Anything?
Prosperity: Ass!
Alice: What did you say?
Prosperity: Ki-ass!
Alice: *gasp* Who taught you that word?
Alice: *disapproving* I’m sure I can guess where you got it from. That’s not a good word, okay Peri.
Alice takes a quick bathroom break and returns to the bedroom to see Peri on the tablet.
Alice: Oh no! No screens! I know…let’s go outside instead.
Prosperity: Ou-si! Ou-si!
Peri gets up and walks towards the bedroom door.
Alice changes Peri into her swimsuit and takes her out to the beach without bothering to wake Alida. Q Sr. is on one of the lounge chairs taking a nap.
Alice: Let’s build grandpop a pretty sandcastle to look at when he wakes up.
Alice gives Peri a shovel and pail and shows her how to scoop sand and put it in.
Peri enjoys playing in the sand very much. It doesn’t take her very long to build an affinity towards her grandmother.
Alice: Look what we did! We made a shark!
Peri: *giggles* Shauk!
The sand sculpture is complete. Alice takes Peri to the water to wash off all the sand. Peri is a natural…who already seems to love the water.
Peri is perfectly content there in the water, but Alice can feel her own energy draining…
Alice: It’s time to go in now, Peri – time for both of us to take a nap.
Peri doesn’t fuss or protest when her grandmother lifts her up and carries her back to the house.
(Generation 1a Chapter Summaries)
